1981 North Stars vs. Bruins - 406 P.M. Game. 84 Total Penalties. February 26, 1981

1981 Minnesota North Stars vs. Boston Bruins. 406 Penalty Minutes Game - 84 Total Penalties. February 26, 1981. The North Stars headed into Boston Garden to face the Bruins in an arena where they were winless in 34 straight games, on this night they were 'sending a message' that was apart of Coach Sonmors' plan that worked later in the playoffs against the Bruins. It took seven seconds to realize that no matter the outcome, the North Stars were done being run over by the Boston Bruins when seven seconds into the game, the first fight breaks out, between Minnesota's Bobby Smith and Boston's Steve Kasper. By the time the period is over - an hour and 31 minutes later - 341 penalty minutes are assessed by referee Dave Newell and 12 players (seven North Stars and five Bruins) were ejected.
While the North Stars lost the game 5-1, moving their winless streak at Boston Garden to 0-28-7 over 35 games - covering 14 years - several coaches and players said that the brawl was about defining the heart of the team going forward in a league that viewed them as weak. The game sent a message to the Bruins, that the North Stars 'weren't going to back down' Glen Sonmors' led club, as months later they beat the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. See game #1 of that series (that was Neal Brotens' 1st NHL Playoff game as well in the NHL): • 1981 Minnesota North S...